I have mixed emotions about contributing suggestions to your gear quest. On one hand, I ‘feel your pain’ regarding the overwhelming diversity of options. It can be very confusing and I, as many others have already indicated, would like to offer assistance which might help you sort through the options. The only price you have to pay would be to listen to / read my admittedly biased (toward what I personally prefer) recommendations. For example, I personally prefer metal backplates, with a simple harness, for their very favorable buoyancy (they are negatively buoyant, so I don’t have to strap on extra lead just to compensate for a floaty BCD) and trim (they put the weight adjacent to my physiologic center of lift – my thorax / lungs, instead of near my waist, which would drag my feet down) characteristics. But that is me. I personally prefer Apeks regs (because I could get them serviced, if necessary, just about anywhere I might travel), with a certain hose configuration. But, that is just me. Frankly, I really think it is too early to inundate you with a lot of information like that. It won't yet have a lot of meaning.
On the other hand, my stronger sense is that you should
slow down, and defer gear purchases, certainly the bigger ones (BCD, computer, regulator), until at least AFTER your Bonaire trip. Several observations underlie that sense. You are a newer diver. You are, by your own admission almost overwhelmed by the volume of information you are receiving. You really don’t have a good experience base, yet. Many new divers end up buying gear 2, or even 3, times because they tend to make purchasing decisions before they have an adequate experience base upon which to base gear selection decisions. That, in itself, is not altogether bad. But, you can easily spend (dare I say ‘waste’
a considerable amount of money on gear that you later find is not as appealing as you once thought. You mention having $2500 available. Honestly, that is A LOT of money. Don't part with all of it, just yet.
You are going through what a lot of newer divers experience. One comment that caught my eye was your description of trying on the shop owner’s Ladyhawk.
Bazal:
. . . then the shop owner let me try her used small size Lady Hawk - felt great!
That is a beguiling experience. You put something on, in the shop, out of the water, and it feels SO-O-O good. It feels like you are slipping into a comfortable, custom-made jacket. And, you buy it. But,
how a BCD feels on the retail floor may have little or nothing to do with how it feels, or performs, in the water.
So, what should you buy,
now? 1. Buy a wetsuit that fits you well. That actually is one ‘fit’ that has some meaning on the retail floor. For Bonaire, a 3mm will probably work well. I know divers who wear a ‘skin’ while diving the 82 degree Bonaire waters, on those warm sunny days, and I know some women who dive full 5mm suits under the same conditions. The majority can do well with a 3mm (I use a 1mm, but I am OK in a 3mm). Get some full 3mm boots that fit you well. Now, you won’t be using that 3mm wetsuit in the cold lake waters where you live. But, you have already said that diving was not particularly enjoyable anyway, at least not yet. Wait to dive there until you can think about a drysuit for exposure protection, and instead plan periodic trips to warmer Caribbean waters for enjoyable diving. 2. If you don't have them already (and you probably do) get a good pair of neutrally buoyant fins. You don’t need to spend a huge amount of money on fins either. For ~15 years I have worn Mares Quattros as my primary recreational fin, and have been happy with their power, light weight, and overall comfort. But, do invest some more money (~$50) in stainless steel spring straps for whatever fins you buy, or already own.
3. As far as lights go, keep in mind that you are NOT trying to turn the nighttime water into daylight. I often dive at night on Bonaire with a simple 250 lumen Big Blue Light as my primary, or even a 230 lumen Intova flashlight-style light as my primary, and I can see everything I want to see. In fact, what annoys me at times on Bonaire are divers with enormous beam, intensely bright, lights swimming along and blinding everything, and everyone (myself included at times) with their overpowering lights. You can buy flashlight-style primary and back-up lights – get two lights that are essentially the same size – for $150 each or less - and they will work just fine for your Bonaire trip. The cylinder light is a trivial expense ($15-20). You can buy a neoprene glove, for ~$20, that allows you to wear the primary light on the back of your hand. Yes, Solas are very nice. And, they are a little more pricey. And, if you want to spend $350-400 on a light, that’s fine. But, you really don’t need a 1200 lumen light for enjoyable night diving on Bonaire. I have a canister light that I love, for diving in deep, dark, cold water. I really don't need it on Bonaire.
For the ‘big ticket’ gear, think about renting on your Bonaire trip. Find out where the shop trip will be based on Bonaire – i.e. what resort. Get in touch with the resort in advance and arrange to rent gear – BCD and regs, even a computer - while you are there. I go to the Buddy Dive resort on Bonaire for a week each year and I am increasingly impressed by the gear they have available for rental. I take my own, but I see that they are expanding / modernizing their rental ‘fleet’. I presume other resorts are doing the same. Spend your time on Bonaire learning to dive. Your OW certification was merely a ‘learner’s permit’, which allows you to begin to learn how to dive, by diving. Work on your 'fantastic' buoyancy (since you specifically mentioned that) by diving on the beautiful, easily accessible reef sites. When you come back, think more about buying the more expensive gear. You may well have some new ideas on what you want.
